5 Signs of Sewer Line Clogs

Of all the possible plumbing problems you can experience in your Northeast Ohio home, a clogged sewer line is among the most dreaded. Without a clear route to the city’s sewer system, wastewater may have nowhere to go but back into your home.

You might be faced with this plumbing emergency if you notice the following signs of a clogged sewer line.

5 Signs of Sewer Line Clogs

1. Multiple Fixtures Clogged at Once

While slow-draining sinks and clogged toilets are quite common, it’s quite unusual for multiple clogs to occur on the same day—unless something is wrong with the sewer line.

2. Gurgling Toilets

Toilets usually have the most direct path to the main drain, and they tend to feature the biggest pipes of all your home’s plumbing fixtures. While this design is intended to help prevent sewer clogs, it means that your toilets often experience problems before anything else.

You may notice that the toilet starts flushing sluggishly, or that it gurgles and bubbles when you:

• Run water down the sink
• Drain the bathtub
• Run a load of laundry in the washing machine

In severe cases, these activities may even make the toilet overflow. These are signs of trapped air or stoppages in the sewer line, and they demand immediate attention from a professional plumber if you want to avoid a full-blown sewer backup.

3. Wastewater Backing Up in Basement Drains

The lowest points of your home’s plumbing system are bound to experience the most trouble from a clogged sewer line. Watch for anything unusual in your basement showers, tubs, and floor drains. If the sewer line is clogged, they could start backing up with wastewater when sinks and laundry lines drain.

Be aware that this red flag may indicate a problem with the washing machine drain, not the main drain. While this may come as a relief, it still requires a professional plumber.

4. Sewage Smell Coming from Drains

When your plumbing system is working smoothly, wastewater flows down the pipes and away from your house. U-shaped bends in the plumbing under sinks and drains hold a small amount of water to keep sewer smells at bay.

If, however, obstructions jam the line, sewage smells may seep into your home. If these odors linger, call a plumber to get their expert opinion.

5. Puddles in the Yard

Tree root intrusion is an unfortunate cause of clogged sewer lines. This occurs when tiny fissures in the plumbing attract roots with a constant source of water and nutrients. Thread-like roots gradually intrude the pipe, separating the joint as they grow into the line. This can eventually clog the sewer and cause wastewater to leak into your yard, creating foul-smelling puddles as a result.

Schedule Drain Cleaning or Sewer Line Repair in Northeast Ohio

If you notice any signs of a clogged sewer line, stop using your plumbing system and call an emergency plumber as soon as possible. It’s also wise to shut off the main water supply until a plumber arrives to reduce property damage as much as possible.

A video inspection of your plumbing system will reveal what’s causing the problem, which could range from an obstruction in the pipe or tree root intrusion to a fully collapsed sewer line. The repair may involve thorough drain cleaning, or it could require replacing your sewer line, depending on the cause.

You can’t live with a clogged sewer line for long! Call Blind & Sons at (330) 753-7711 to diagnose the problem and have it repaired quickly and reliably.